As the number of people riding bikes and motorcycles increase, the number of collisions with cars and other types of vehicles increase.
How Can You Recognize and Reduce the Risk of Problems Caused by Cyclists?
Both motorcycles and bicycles are smaller, less stable, and less visible than cars. Two wheels provide less stability than four, making these vehicles harder to steer and handle than many people realize.
- Watching out for Cyclists
Two wheeled vehicles, particularly bicycles, are much more difficult than cars for drivers to spot, especially when they approach from behind or to the side. A moped is a low powered two wheeled vehicle that shares the same visibility problems as a bicycle or motorcycle and is most commonly driven on city streets.
On highways a motorcycle does not take up an entire lane and may easily drop out of sight in a driver’s blind spot. Also, drivers tend not to look for cyclists. Motorcycles and bicycles are easily hidden from drivers’ sight by larger vehicles sharing the roadway.
Always make cyclists aware of your intentions and positions. Drive with your headlights on, and signal well in advance when turning, changing lanes, or stopping. Tap your horn to warn a cyclist of your approach.
- Dangerous Roadway Conditions
Drivers must be aware of the problems that cyclists face in order to anticipate situations in which a cyclist might veer or skid into the path of a car, slow down, steer widely left or right, or stop suddenly. Cyclists must make major adjustments in speed or position than a driver in situations such as these:
- Encountering storm drain, a gravel surface, or a pothole
- Driving on a rain slicked road or puddle
- Getting caught in rain or a snow shower
- Being blown by a sudden strong gust of wind
To minimize risk, scan the roadway ahead for problems that may cause a cyclist to change speed, direction, skid, or make a sudden stop. When driving behind a cyclist, increase your following distance. Never try to pass a cyclist in a tight space. If a cyclist is carrying a passenger be especially careful as a passenger leaning the wrong way can throw a motorcycle off balance.
Use your mirrors to check for cyclists approaching from the rear. Always check your blind spots before changing lanes, being on the lookout for cyclists approaching intersections and coming around curves.
- Lack of Protection
Cyclists are unprotected in the event of collision, skid, or blowout the risk of serious or fatal injury is high to the cyclists.
- Failure to Obey Traffic Laws
One needs to be alert to the possibility that cyclists may not follow traffic laws and should always be prepared to take evasive action if necessary. Human error accounts for countless collisions involving cyclists who show an equal disregard for safety.
- Irresponsible Drivers
Some cyclists become the victims of careless or inconsiderate drivers who tailgate, cut cyclists off or pass too close for safety. Such reckless actions put both drivers and cyclists at risk.
What Special Responsibilities Do Motorcyclists Have?
Motorcyclists have as much right to ride on the highways as any other drivers. They also have the responsibility of driving safely and watching out for drivers of other vehicles. Motorcyclists should take care to stay out of other drivers’ blind spots.